Bike bags are getting more and more sophisticated, often combining pannier performance with the ease of use and versatility of the messenger bag. The Messenger bag from the d'Azur range by Dutch bike luggage specialists Basil is designed to be a combination of casual styling, rugged materials, handy features and on and off bike useability.

In an aged, sandy sort of colour canvas fabric, the d'Azur isn't a bag that screams out 'laptop inside' and is styled very much true to its name, as a messenger bag.

It has a sturdy detachable canvas webbing shoulder strap and a padded carrying handle at the top of the bag. There are numerous pockets and organizer sections inside, as well as a large zipped pocket at the front on the outside (under the flap lid). The lid itself fastens down with two press studs, and inside there's a zip in a fabric cover that means the bag can't easily be accessed from outside by opportunist thieves.

In addition to the normal bag features, it also has sturdy pannier attachments at the rear, which have a cover that zips over to keep them from digging into your shoulder when the bag is in use off the bike.

The d'Azur Messenger bag is also designed to be compatible with Basil's optional laptop protective sleeve, and it comes with its own simple elasticated waterproof cover.

For those who like a casual looking bag that doubles as a nifty pannier, this is one worth looking at. It's large enough for a laptop, and with the optional extra of the protective sleeve from Basil, would be great at providing a pretty safe ride for your electronics.

It's a roomy bag, with a quoted capacity of 15 litres, and gives plenty of space for all sorts of bits and bobs, whether you're going to work, or just using it as a casual bag. The strap and carrying handle are both well made and comfortable and the zip over fabric bit inside is a nice touch, giving a bit of protection to the contents from the weather, and as mentioned, deterring wandering hands. It's a shame it doesn't tuck away more effectively when not in use though.

The waterproof cover was simple to use and effective at keeping out downpours, while the fabric itself did a pretty good job on drizzle and the like. The pannier clips are tough and should last a while, with a handy little clip that turns to help secure attachment to the rack. Once covered with the zip over flap, I could barely feel the clips.

As a pannier, it was reliable and easy to use, if a little on the long side. Those with shorter geometry bikes might find it interferes with heels a fair bit. I had to mount it at the back of the rack on a fairly long geometry tourer to avoid my heels scuffing the bag.

Off the bike, it's surprisingly effective as a courier bag, with the rough canvas type fabric making it less likely to slide around than some more technical fabric bags. It was comfortable, stayed put on my back and carried a decent amount.

It's a good looking bag, with lots of nice, well thought out features. I really liked the tough canvas and brass accents, but personally I'd have preferred turning barrel fastenings rather than the press studs on the front. Turning barrel fastenings would have been more secure and looked more classy in my opinion.

Verdict

Pannier or shoulder bag that doesn't shout "please steal my laptop".

road.cc test report

Make and model: Basil D'Azur messenger bag

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Aimed at all sorts of rider looking for a bag for office or casual use that has performance elements as well as looking low key.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Canvas fabric

Padded shoulder strap (detachable)

Padded carrying handle

Internal organiser pockets

Reflective accents

Pannier hooks with security clip

Elasticated waterproof cover.

Compatible with Basil laptop protection sleeve (extra)

Rate the product for quality of construction:

9/10

Very well made from excellent fabrics and components.

Personally I'd have preferred different fastenings from the brass press studs on the front, but that's more personal taste than anything.

Rate the product for performance:

8/10

Performed very well as both pannier and shoulder bag, but hard to avoid heel contact when fitted as pannier.

Rate the product for durability:

10/10

Pretty much bombproof fabric and construction.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:

5/10

It's a solid bag, so it's not light.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:

8/10

Good comfort when used as shoulder bag.

Rate the product for value:

7/10

Pretty good value considering the versatility and the build quality and features.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performed very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Style, fabric, ease of use.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Length when used as pannier (caught on heels), brass press studs on front flap.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, probably.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A good hybrid between a pannier and a casual styled messenger bag. Laptop capability without shouting about it.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37 Height: 1.65m Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,

Miscellaneous

Tools and workshop

Here's how we roll at road.cc: every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: